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Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Welcome back to our blog!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy “Black Love Family Day!”

We all know that processed white sugar is not good for us at all. Why?

Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.

It can have harmful effects on metabolism and contribute to all sorts of diseases. Added sugars (like sucrose and high fructose corn syrup) contain a whole bunch of calories with NO essential nutrients.

Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. It also causes tooth decay by feeding the harmful bacteria in the mouth.

For people who are inactive and eat a Western diet, large amounts of fructose from added sugars get turned into fat in the liver.

Excess fructose gets turned into fat, which can lodge in the liver and cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

When people eat a lot of sugar, it can cause resistance to the hormone insulin, which can contribute to many diseases.

Because of the harmful effects of sugar on the function of insulin, it is a leading driver of type II diabetes.

There is considerable evidence that sugar, due to its harmful effects on metabolism, can contribute to cancer.

Fructose doesn’t cause satiety in the brain or lower the hunger hormone ghrelin nearly as much as glucose.

Because sugar causes a large release of dopamine in the brain, it can cause addiction in a lot of people.

Because of the effects of sugar on hormones and the brain, sugar dramatically increases the risk of becoming overweight or obese

Not surprisingly, many observational studies find a strong statistical association between sugar consumption and the risk of heart disease.

-Kris Gunnars

-Authority Nutrition-An Evidenced Based Approach

There are alternatives to white processed sugar. See the many options below.

Photo By Getty Images

Coconut Sugar

Made from the sap of coconut-tree blossoms, this sweetener is loaded with zinc, potassium, iron, and vitamin B. “It also contains less fructose than table sugar, which is helpful because fructose is tough for your body to break down and metabolize,” says New York City nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg.

Best uses: Despite the name, there’s no coconut flavor; it has more of a caramel taste, which works well in coffee or tea. Because it’s granular, it’s also a great substitute for white or brown sugar in recipes.

Maple Syrup

Research shows that pure maple syrup – straight from the tree, not the cheap stuff made from corn syrup flavored with maple extract – can contain up to 54 antioxidant compounds, some of which may help combat cancer and diabetes.

Best uses: Besides pouring it over pancakes, try this spicy syrup in homemade ice cream, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, and glazes or gravies for pork.

Photo By Getty Images

Stevia

It may sound like a gimmicky name for an artificial sweetener, but stevia is actually a natural sugar substitute derived from the leaves of the South American stevia plant. “It’s one of your best options because it has no calories or carbs, and studies suggest it may help control insulin resistance,” says holistic nutritionist Lisa Turner.

Best uses: Flavor oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, and drinks with just a touch – stevia is far sweeter than sugar, and leaves a bitter, licorice-like aftertaste if you overdo it.

Blackstrap Molasses

A by-product of sugarcane, “this sweetener is high in minerals, especially magnesium, which is helpful to a healthy metabolism. That’s a mineral that around two-thirds of us don’t get enough of in our diets.

Best uses: This type of molasses tastes bitter on its own, but it will add a rich, smoky sweetness to spicy or savory dishes and baked goods like gingerbread.

Photo By Getty Images

Raw Honey

Make sure your bottle says raw to ensure you’re getting disease-fighting antioxidants that could otherwise be destroyed during pasteurization. You eat it exactly like it comes out of the hive. Raw honey can fight colds and sore throats, kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and reduce symptoms of respiratory infections.

Best uses: Stir it into coffee, tea, smoothies, and oatmeal, or spread it on bread for sandwiches. It’s creamier and richer than regular honey, so a little goes a long way.

Monk Fruit

Derived from antioxidant-rich fruits first cultivated by Buddhist monks nearly 800 years ago, this natural option seems too good to be true: it’s zero-calorie, non-glycemic, free of aftertaste, and has anti-inflammatory benefits. Just be sure to avoid products like Splenda’s “Nectresse,” which is marketed as monk fruit sweetener but contains added sugar and molasses.

Best uses: Use the granular sweetener as a replacement for syrup in cold drinks and cocktails – it dissolves instantly. It’s also 300 times sweeter than sugar, so you only need a pinch.

Photo By Getty Images

Date Sugar

Made by drying fresh, pitted dates and crushing them into a powder, date sugar has 25 percent fewer calories than table sugar and is nearly twice as sweet (which further reduces the calories, because you’ll need to use less of it). Dates are also packed with fiber, Vitamin C, and essential minerals such as selenium, copper, and potassium.

Best uses: Because date sugar doesn’t dissolve or melt, the sweetener is best suited to dry mixes for baked goods such as breads, muffins, cookies and homemade energy bars, where it will lend a caramel-like flavor.

Photo By Getty Images

Xylitol

Xylitol is classified as a sugar alcohol, and is made from cornhusks or birch tree bark. Research shows it’s good for oral health – it can reduce bacterial growth, stave off plaque, and help prevent cavities. And because it’s so low on the glycemic index (the scale measures how food affects blood sugar and insulin levels; the lower the number, the smaller the spike), Xylitol is okay in moderation for diabetics, says nutritionist and James Beard Award-winning chef Cheryl Forberg. “But it can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, so limit how much you use.”

Best uses: Equally as sweet as sugar, Xylitol makes for a simple replacement in baked-good recipes, where it also helps to retain moisture.

Barley Malt and Brown Rice Syrups

Both of these natural sweeteners are made from whole grains – barley and brown rice, respectively – and are less refined than table sugar, low on the glycemic index, and made of slow-digesting carbs that enter your bloodstream steadily during a couple hours, versus the almost immediate uptake of table sugar. And unlike alternative sweeteners such as honey, these syrups won’t crystalize over time and have a long shelf life.

Best uses: Barley malt and brown rice syrup have a rich, butterscotch flavor, says nutritionist Lisa Turner, which pairs perfectly in spice cakes and bread recipes, or over cereal and pancakes.

Photo By Alasdair Thomson / Getty Images

One to Avoid: Agave Nectar

Though derived from the agave plant, this syrup is just as processed as regular sugar and can contain up to 97 percent fructose – more than high-fructose corn syrup. Limit intake just as you would for table sugar.

-Sarah Toland

What is your favorite healthy alternative sugar? Do you have a recipe that you would like to share using your favorite healthy sugar alternative?

CLEAN CARAMEL CORN {HEALTHY, VEGAN, DELICIOUS!}

No refined sugars required for this delicious recipe! Just need a little maple syrup and coconut oil! You will be amazed at how amazing this caramel corn is.

Yield:8 cups popped, approximately

Prep Time:30 minutes

Cook Time:8 minutes

Total Time:38 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons coconut oil, divided

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Place 1 tablespoon coconut oil into deep pot or pan with tight fitting lid and melt over medium high heat. Add in popcorn kernels and cover. Shake pan back and forth every 20 seconds or so to heat kernels evenly. After about 2 minutes, kernels should start to pop. Once popping slows, remove popcorn from heat and pour into large bowl.

In a small saucepan, place remaining coconut oil with maple syrup and salt. Boil 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat evenly. Spread out onto some parchment paper to cool 30 minutes or so. Serve.

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements.Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Welcome back! We decided to focus on gluten this month because of family and friends suffering from gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

What is Gluten?

-a substance present in cereal grains,especially wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. A mixture of two proteins, it causes illnesses in people with Celiac disease.

Celiac disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, leading to difficulty digesting food containing gluten.

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Hello and Welcome to our blog!

Juicing provides a way to access digestive enzymes typically locked away in the fiber matrix of whole fruits and vegetables. Most commercial juices are processed and lacking in nutrition while freshly juiced fruits and vegetables are loaded with an abundance of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

After hearing about the benefits of juicing, my sister and I decided to try it for a week. The juicer we used was the Breville model, utilized by Joe Cross in the documentary outlining his journey to health, “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.”

Listed below are the vegetables and fruits we used, as well as the benefits of each. We decided to juice for 32 ounces for breakfast, 32 ounces for lunch, then have a light dinner. During the day, we drank at least 8 cups of water. We found it useful to cut up the vegetables and fruit the day before, and place in freezer bags in the fridge. You will have to use trial and error as we did, to decide which combinations of vegetables and fruits suit your personal taste. I found it useful to add ice to my juice, my sister preferred hers without ice.

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

We have missed you! We are so glad to be back. As you know, we are taking care of our mother and father. Our mother is 85 and our father is 93. They are both doing well.Thank you for all of your encouragement. We continue to use lavender oil and other essential oils to keep our father calm.

We have done a lot of research on coconut oil and it’s impact on those with dementia. We give our mother and father coconut oil everyday mixed in meals and it has helped them to be much more alert.

Coconut oil is the only oil that we use to cook with for the most part. We have found that coconut oil is so good for you in so many ways. It is good for your skin and hair and it helps to increase your metabolism and support weight loss. Based upon our research, other benefits of coconut oil are:

While taking care of our parents, there are times when we are not planning our meals as we should and that has lead to a little less healthy eating and a slight weight gain. About 5 years ago, my sister and I lost over 120 pounds together using hcg weight loss drops and we have been able to maintain that weight loss for the most part. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. HCG weight loss drops combined with a very low calorie diet of mostly lean protein, vegetables and fruit supports you in losing 1/2 -2 pounds daily. (Yes, I mean daily. That is not a mistake.) The hcg diet was created during the 1950’s by Dr. Simeons who worked with overweight patients.

We started using hcg again this month. This time, we would like to lose a few pounds. We will talk more about our hcg weight loss in our next post.

We would like to invite our St. Louis friends to our Health and Wellness-HCG drops weight loss support group meetup on February 6th, 2016. We will be meeting at Jamestown Bluffs Branch Library, 4153 N. Hwy 67,Florissant, MO 63034 at 10:30 a.m. to share recipes, tips, and inspiration. Please join us! We are on meetup – please visit us.

We have been using JustNatural soaps, anti-aging day and night creams and the Anti-aging Nutritive Serum. All of the products we tried are FABULOUS! The soaps smelled marvelous and helped to make our skin so clean, soft and fragrant. Our skin loved the anti-aging day and night creams and the anti-aging serum. We used the cream and serum on our face, neck and hands. We have very dry skin and the creams and serum made a significant difference in hydrating our skin which helped to make us appear younger looking. Her products definitely work and an added plus is that she only uses natural and organic ingredients, no chemicals. Please visit her site, JustNatural and try her products. You won’t be disappointed.

Place all the ingredients into your high-speed blender and blend for around 30-45 seconds or until nice and smooth. If you don’t have a very powerful blender and your coconut oil is in liquid form, you might want to blend everything except the coconut oil first, then drizzle it on and blend for another 5-10 seconds to avoid clumping.

Pure Emancipation grew out of our lifestyle changes and our goal to improve our overall health and well-being. We are now grain free, gluten free, and processed sugar free. We are happy to promote any products or brands that are aligned with our beliefs and can inspire others to join us on our journey. If you would like us try your products or brands, and/or advertise on our site, please contact us at : pureemancipation@gmail.com We hope to hear from you soon!

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Our father was doing well and back home after a lengthy hospital stay. Our father contracted an urinary tract infection. We did not know how having an urinary tract infection impacts the elderly so severely physically and cognitively. Our father has dementia.

He stayed up two days and nights, talking throughout the night. Some things that he said made sense and some did not. We ended up taking him to the emergency room. He stayed in the hospital for four days.

On the second day, he must have been so exhausted, he fell asleep and slept a day and a half in the hospital. Our father is 92 years old and has dementia. He was released to a rehab center. He was walking unassisted with a walker prior to the infection. Now, he is no longer able to walk at all. The infection left him very, very weak.

We began to research the impact of essential oils on the elderly, especially those with dementia. Alzheimers is one form of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. –Alzheimers Association

We found the following essential oils have been studied to have a positive impact on those that have dementia and those that are the caretakers of those with dementia. Our father has vascular dementia. We mixed coconut oil with a combination of lavender, lemon, grapefruit and rosemary. We massage his hands with the oil because we learned the sense of smell diminishes significantly in the elderly. My father is sleeping better and appears to be less agitated and depressed.

Many of the memory enhancing drugs currently used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are designed to inhibit cholinesterase, the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine is vital to the central nervous system; it acts as a neuromodulator and when there is damage to the cholinergic (acetylcholine-producing) system it affects memory, REM sleep, attention and sensory perceptions.

Several essential oils such as Lemon, Rosemary and Spanish Sage have been shown to act in a similar way to conventional drugs, inhibiting cholinesterase but without any negative side effects.

In a study conducted by Kilstoff and Chenoweth, Lavender, Geranium and Mandarin were combined in a base of sweet almond oil and applied via hand massage. “The specific improvements for clients included increased alertness, self-hygiene, contentment, initiation of toileting, sleeping at night and reduced levels of agitation, withdrawal and wandering. Family caregivers have reported less distress, improved sleeping patterns and feelings of calm.

When using essential oils with the elderly or frail it is generally best to start with the lowest dilution 1-3% and whenever possible allow the patient to choose the essential oils or blends that they prefer. If a patient is non-communicative body language and facial expression will give you insight into their likes and dislikes. -Essential 3

Anxiety, Agitation:Applications – Bath, Inhalation, Diffusion, Massage, Spritzer Essential oils – Neroli,Lavender,Bergamot FCF,Geranium,Melissa* * in a placebo controlled trial Melissa was added to a carrier and applied to the face and arms of patients with dementia, twice a day for 4 weeks. 60% of the group receiving the Melissa showed reduced agitation. 7

We will keep everyone updated on our father’s progress. Please keep us in your prayers.

My sister and I are grain and gluten free. We made lasagna with grain and gluten free noodles. We thought about how good cheesy garlic bread would go with this meal. We found the recipe !below on Leeann’s site “Cut the Wheat” and it was very, very good. Thank you, Leeann

Pure Emancipation grew out of our lifestyle changes and our goal to improve our overall health and well-being. We are now grain free, gluten free, and processed sugar free. We are happy to promote any products or brands that are aligned with our beliefs and can inspire others to join us on our journey. If you would like us try your products or brands, and/or advertise on our site, please contact us at : pureemancipation@gmail.com We hope to hear from you soon!

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers for our father. We received so many positive comments from our last post on Essential Oils, we decided to continue to share the benefits of the essential oils that we are using. My sister and I are continuing to experiment with essential oils.

Frankincense is now one of our favorites. The three wise men gave baby Jesus gifts of gold to honor his royalty, frankincense for perfume, and myrrh for annointing oil.

Imhoptep was an ancient Egyptian physician of healing and medicine. Imhoptep, based upon our research recommended Frankincense oil for baths and massages nearly 6000 years ago.

Frankincense is used to support a healthy immune system, treat dry skin, reverse skin signs of aging and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.

-provides relief from bronchitis and congestion of the nasal tract and lungs

-protects from premature loss of teeth and hair

-anti-cancer benefits

We could not find any side effects in our research, except that it should not be used during pregnancy because it induces delayed menstruation and delays the advent of menopause.

We have been making homemade body butter with Frankincense oil. It feels luxurious as you rub it all over your body after a shower or bath. You may also use the oil with a diffuser or vaporizer or by absorbing it through the skin mixed with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil. We will keep you updated on the results we see by using Frankincense.

We ususally have a protein smoothie or omelette for breakfast but sometimes we have a craving for pancakes. Since we are grain and gluten free making pancakes that are fluffy and taste good can be challenging. We found a great recipe for pancakes on the Joyful Abode website created by Emily.

Fluffy Gluten-Free Coconut Flour Paleo Pancakes

Author: Emily Chapelle

Recipe type: Breakfast

Cuisine: Gluten Free

Makes: 18

Ingredients

6 eggs

6 Tbsp milk (almond or coconut milk works fine too, and we’ve even used water in a pinch)

Mix all of the ingredients together. I’ve found that adding the oil after everything else is combined works best to get the right texture. We used to use our stand mixer for this, but now we use our Vitamix 750 and the results are better than ever. I HIGHLY recommend using a high speed blender if you have one.

Let the batter stand about 5 minutes so the coconut flour can absorb everything the way it likes to.

Mix one more time.

Cook pancakes over medium-low heat on a cast iron griddle brushed with just a little more coconut oil, or in a skillet. They take a little longer than regular flour pancakes do, but don’t be tempted to turn up the temperature – you’ll just end up burning them! Slow and low heat is better for coconut flour.

Flip when you notice little bubbles starting to pop up in the batter.

Finish cooking on the other side until the pancakes are fluffy and set.

Note: The only changes we made to this recipe is that we added a tablespoon of vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of raw honey. Our side dishes in the picture are turkey sausage and bacon. These pancakes are fluffy and delicious!

Pure Emancipation grew out of our lifestyle changes and our goal to improve our overall health and well-being. We are now grain free, gluten free, and processed sugar free. We are happy to promote any products or brands that are aligned with our beliefs and can inspire others to join us on our journey. If you would like us try your products or brands, and/or advertise on our site, please contact us at : pureemancipation@gmail.com We hope to hear from you soon!

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements. Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Welcome to our third post!

We are so glad to be back. Our father has been in the hospital since December 5, 2014. Thank you to everyone who prayed for him. He was released from the hospital Friday, March 27, 2015. Prayer changes things.My sister and I have been experimenting with essential oils and their impact on our health. Essential oils, also referred to as “essences”, are botanical extracts of various plant materials, and do not only originate from flowers, but from herbs, trees and various other plant material.

The use of essential oils have a history and many prominent healers in history have made use, and believed in, the healing power of these extracts.Essential oils differ from other oils (fixed oils such as olive oil) as they are volatile and evaporate when left open, and have certain properties which can be used to promote health and well-being.One of the oils we have been using is Thieves Oil.

Many, many years ago, the bubonic plague ran rampant through Asia and Europe, a story about 4 thieves emerged. These 4 thieves robbed the victims of bubonic plague, but never caught the plague. The story goes that the 4 thieves went to trial and were promised leniency if they would share how they kept from getting the plague. They shared that they rubbed a combination of cloves, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary all over themselves. Today, Four Thieves oil is used to support the immune system.

(Click on image below to make it clearer)

Chart created by Rewindforlifeblogspot.com

Since going grain free and gluten free, we thought we would miss bread in general, but we haven’t. However, we have really missed pizza. Imagine, our excitement, when we discovered the recipe below from Becca’s site notdeprived.com I made the pizza and OMG, it was spectacular!! Try it and thank you, Becca

Ingredients:

4 Large Eggs, beaten

2 Tbs Olive Oil

1/4 c Plain Yogurt

1/4 c Coconut Flour

(Coconut flour is a mild, inexpensive gluten-free flour and it’s very dense so you don’t need much…I highly recommend this flour option!)

Pure Emancipation grew out of our lifestyle changes and our goal to improve our overall health and well-being. We are now grain free, gluten free, and processed sugar free. We are happy to promote any products or brands that are aligned with our beliefs and can inspire others to join us on our journey. If you would like us try your products or brands, and/or advertise on our site, please contact us at : pureemancipation@gmail.com We hope to hear from you soon!

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements.

Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Welcome Back to our second post!

As we stated in our last post, my sister and I are dealing with auto-immune challenges. As a result, we decided to lose weight by eating clean. We have tried several of the major weight loss programs in the past and had success, but then we started going back to our old eating habits and eventually gaining back the weight. This time, we decided to do research and make healthy changes. We eliminated red meat, dairy, grains and sugar. We lost over 120 lbs together. We also noticed how much better we felt, how much more energy we had and symptoms of our auto-immune challenges disappeared or diminished significantly. Each day on our journey, we are learning more and more about chronic inflammation and it’s relationship to auto-immune challenges and it’s relationship to what we eat, our diet.

What is Inflammation and why is it Bad?

Inflammation is a normal part of your immune system’s response to infection, disease, injuries, pathogens, and irritants. For instance, if you scrape your knee, the skin around that area gets red, warm, and a little puffy. This is acute inflammation and is a healthy response to the damage you suffered. When the flu virus infects you, a fever is another sign of the acute inflammation caused by the infection and your immune response. Blood and immune cells race to the sites of trauma or infection and begin to work healing you, causing redness, pain, heat, and other symptoms. Acute inflammation is not only normal, it is necessary. Without it you would not be able to heal from infections, injuries, and other bad illnesses and traumas. Inflammation only becomes a problem when it occurs over a long period of time. This is called chronic inflammation and it is this form of the immune response that causes harm and damage to your body. Over time, chronic inflammation can cause heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and other devastating illnesses. Several factors can lead to chronic inflammation, including your personal genetics, a lack of exercise, stress, and exposure to toxins. But, one of the most important causes is diet. Many of the foods common in most American diets cause chronic inflammation and resulting illnesses. -Healthy Smoothie Headquarters

Definition of PURE:adj. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements.

Definition of EMANCIPATION: noun. The act by which one who was not free or under the power and control of another, is set free.

Welcome to our new blog!

My sister and I created this blog to share our journey to a healthy lifestyle with autoimmune health challenges. We hope that what we are learning on our journey will help others as it has helped us. We believe “food is our medicine and medicine is our food.”

We will provide recipes that have helped us to become healthier and articles as to how food and exercise can heal your body, mind and spirit naturally.